Little Current Fish and Game Club vows to soldier on
To the Expositor:
In the early 80’s it became abundantly clear that in the North Channel and surrounding waters that the walleye population was on the decline. In 1986 the Little Current Fish and Game Club made a decision to build a walleye hatchery and rearing ponds. The fingerling production would be stocked into Bass Lake stream that flows into Sheguiandah bay.
The club’s goal, along with other clubs was to bring back the walleye waters. By the early 90’s, walleye was observed once again spawning stream. The annual walleye run continued to improve year over year. Population to area in the Bass Lake by 2015 the fingerlings club had to club had reached its goal and had stocked approximately 1.5 million into North Channel waters. The walleye run was so successful that in 2010 the initiate a river watch program to protect the spawning fish. The walleye recovery was truly remarkable with many factors supporting a second coming of the walleye population.
The successful reinstatement of the fish was in part due to a team effort between the club and the Manitoulin Streams organization. Together they constructed several spawning beds, fish ladder, viewing stand and several bed improvements in and along Bass Lake stream.
In parallel to the restoration efforts, the club started its award (OFAH, Rainbow Board of Education) winning education program in 2005, for Grade 4 students here on Manitoulin.
The high light for these students was to observe up close these large spawning walleyes in the display tank.
In 2017, it was observed that the spawning run was down by 80 percent. By 2018, it was all but gone.
The impact of the reduction of the spawning walleye meant that in the last six years the club has been unable to collect eggs for its hatchery. A hatchery capable of accommodating 1.2 million eggs each year. This would prove to be a severe blow to what was an incredible resurrection of an important fishery for the Little Current area and all of Manitoulin.
The passion of the club supporting the local walleye fishery will never waiver. They will continue to do what is in their control for the betterment of the walleye fishery in area waters.
In closing, we all have a moral obligation to manage the fisheries for our kids and grandkids. We repeat, where have all the large spawning walleye gone?
Lou Short, president
Bill Strain, past president
Little Current Fish and Game Club
